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Sonic Adventure

"Sega of America, Inc."
After several years in video game retirement, Sonic the Hedgehog returns as the star of a graphically stunning 3-D adventure game that blows away every other game in the genre. Sonic is joined by five of his friends in a massive quest that spans over 50 game levels filled with remarkable visuals and a pulsating soundtrack. Taking full advantage of the unprecedented processing power of the Dreamcast, Sega's development crew, Sonic Team, has designed several gravity-defying game levels that will keep gamers hooked.
Our favorite level is Windy Valley, which requires you to survive the stormy perils of a tremendous tornado. This tyrant of nature chases you relentlessly before ultimately sucking you into the air and up through its eye. During the chase, the tornado manages to tear up just about everything on the screen. This dizzying visual spectacle moves so fast that you will literally hold on to the game controller for dear life.
Assuming you survive the tornado, there are several more challenging areas to conquer, including a level that requires you to snowboard directly in the path of a fast-approaching avalanche. During the Emerald Coast level, you will race across a precarious dock as a killer whale attacks from below, destroying the wood planks underneath your feet while you attempt to outrun the crazed creature.
We also liked the numerous mini-games scattered throughout this title. When you least expect it, Sonic Adventure tosses in some old-fashioned arcade action, such as pinball or bumper car racing. In between, you can raise virtual pets, known in the game as "Chao." These characters, which are saved using the optional Visual Memory Unit (VMU), can be combined with other Chao characters exchanged between friends or downloaded via the Internet.
Gamers looking to show off the strong processing power of the 128-bit Dreamcast will definitely want to pick up this title. Simply put, Sonic Adventure's graphics surpass those of any other game currently available on any home video game system. Let the Sonic assault begin. --Brett Atwood
Pros:
- Strong replay value
- Stunning graphics
- Bonus virtual pet game
- Six different game characters
Cons:
- May be too fast-moving for some players
- Awkward camera angles can inhibit gameplay in some areas
Sonic Adventure 2

"Sega of America, Inc."

When longtime Sega mascot Sonic the Hedgehog made his debut on the Dreamcast console in Sonic Adventure, gamers were stunned. Sega had not only used the game to show off the tremendous possibilities of the then-new hardware, but they had reinvigorated the platform-style arcade adventure genre with massive, intricate levels, gleefully distracting minigames, and even a new kind of virtual pet, called a Chao, that could be combined with other pets, traded with friends, and even exchanged over the Internet. Sonic Adventure 2 ups the ante of its predecessor with all-new puzzles and levels, and even faster action reminiscent of the early Genesis-era games. Knuckles and Tails are back, as are the Chao pets (who can now talk!).
Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage

Eidos Interactive
Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage is an action game with phenomenally good graphics but overly simplistic gameplay. You fill the shoes of the main character, Guts, and spend most of your time smiting foes with his seven-foot monster of a sword, Dragon Slayer.
Some levels provide the best hack-and-slash gaming to be found anywhere, but usually Sword of the Berserk is more cheap than challenging. We certainly felt rage when boulders began falling on Guts's head at random during one level and the designers took great pains to populate most of the levels with dozens of tiny ankle-biting enemies that are nigh impossible to hit. Unfortunately the lack of combat moves, weapon upgrades, or anything else that could have spiced up gameplay makes Sword of the Berserk far more tedious than it should be for gamers.
What really distinguishes this game from other gore games is the eloquent integration of storyline-enhancing cut-scenes that are gorgeously rendered with the game engine. There is over an hour of noninteractive story line to sit through--so many scenes that this almost qualifies as an interactive movie. If mindless combat and a compelling story sound appealing, Sword of the Berserk is what you've been waiting for. Parents should note that this game is particularly violent, and may not be suited for young children. --T. Byrl Baker
Pros:
- Beautiful graphics
- Gory, visceral combat
- Outstanding production values
Cons:
- Repetitive gameplay
- Level design sometimes cheap
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Eidos Interactive

In the sequel to BLOOD OMEN: Legacy of Kain, you jump into the world of Raziel, a member of Kain's vampire army. After defying Kain's authority, you were sentenced to damnation in the Lake of the Dead. Your body has been torn apart by water that acts like acid on vampires; you are merely a shell of your former self. As a member of the undead ranks, you have the ability to pass between the Spectral Plane and the Material Plane as you seek revenge on your former master. But you'll notice that the two realms are vastly different, as are your abilities in each, which you'll have to use to your advantage on your quest for vengeance. On both planes you'll find plenty of puzzles to solve, platforms to jump, and enemies to fight as you traverse through the two planes and hunt down Kain.
Rayman 2 - The Great Escape

Ubi Soft
Rayman 2: The Great Escape packs more charm and surprises in a single level than most games can muster in their entire length. This 3-D platformer is designed in the same vein as Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64 and the Gex series on the PlayStation. With the notable exception of Sonic Adventure, Dreamcast owners have suffered through a dry spell when it comes to action jumping games on the 128-bit system. Rayman 2 was worth the wait.
The back of the case describes Rayman 2's graphics as "lush," but that may be an understatement. The game's environments and effects are impressive. We were awed by the amount of detail that has been designed into many of the game's environments. Perhaps more amazing is that the game suffers no slowdown despite the high-resolution visuals.
Pretty graphics aside, Rayman 2 delivers solid gameplay that will suck in both casual and hardcore gamers. The controls are intuitive and special moves are easy to pull off. Rayman has a limited set of moves--basically he can run, jump, and shoot energy balls. Analog speed control is fully implemented, letting users pounce through a field of butterflies or tiptoe around a sleeping guard. Several puzzles are scattered throughout the game, but they are so ingeniously designed that you'll never feel overwhelmed by their complication.
We were hard-pressed to come up with many drawbacks to this game. One slight flaw is the camera angle, which can sometimes interfere with your ability to accurately control the on-screen action. Fortunately, this can usually be amended with a few quick presses of the camera control buttons. Other than that, Rayman 2 is as good as it gets in this genre. Better still, Dreamcast owners get a special bonus: this version contains some extra levels you won't find anywhere else. If you have multiple systems, this is the version to get. --T. Byrl Baker
Pros:
- Outstanding visuals
- Tight control
- Excellent level design
Cons:
- Has some 3-D camera problems
- Sound effects lack punch
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

SPIG
Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles
The battle that pits the noble Jedi Knights against the nasty Trade Federation continues in Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles in its triumphant form on the Dreamcast. For fans of very basic arcade beat-'em-ups, this is quite possibly the most improved translation of a bad PlayStation game ever made for the Dreamcast. Saber-swinging action on a console never has looked better.
Yes, the game has bright and shiny graphics that take advantage of the Dreamcast's extra processing muscle. The music and sound effects also are excellent, and probably are the elements that capture the atmosphere of the films most effectively. But the game relies heavily on the basic walk-from-left-to-right-and-chop-up-the-baddies formula. Jedi Power Battles really hasn't moved this style of gameplay forward from the now-ancient Double Dragon and Final Fight games of yore.
Fortunately, LucasArts made quite a few wise tweaks for this new version. In addition to the original playable characters (Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Mace Windu), the Dreamcast version adds the speedy Ki-Adi-Mundi. In addition to distinctive speed, strength, and personal style of saber attack, each character has special Force powers that get stronger as the game progresses. Of course, using your lightsaber like a Louisville Slugger to hit laser blasts into line drives is the coolest Jedi trick in the game.
The Dreamcast version runs very quickly and smoothly (supposedly at 60 frames per second), no matter how much action is taking place on the screen. New to this version are training levels for up-and-coming Jedis and a cool mano a mano fighting mode (think Street Fighter with lightsabers) that's good for a few laughs.
Without the Star Wars name, this game could've been considered rather ordinary. But Jedi Power Battles delivers the fun for all who ever wanted a chance to go toe-to-toe with Darth Maul and all of his friends from the Dark Side. Neither original nor deep in gameplay, Jedi Power Battles does show that the Force is still strong in the Dreamcast. --Mark Brooks
Pros:
- Very good graphics, music, and sound
- Nice extras like hidden characters, training mode, and one-on-one fight mode add to its value
Cons:
- It's basically yet another mindless beat-'em-up with lots of jumping
- Could've been a bit longer
Dino Crisis

Capcom
Note to Parents: Realistic violence, gore, horror
An abandoned research complex on a remote jungle island, a team of special forces operatives, a horde of vicious velociraptors, and one big, mean Tyrannosaurus rex constitute the setting and cast of Dino Crisis, the latest masterpiece from the makers of Resident Evil.
You play as Regina, a member of a four-person team sent to retrieve an expatriate scientist. Your radio man became a midnight snack for the T.rex, so it's up to you and your two remaining teammates to explore a dino-infested research station, rescue the scientist, call for a helicopter retrieval, and escape with your lives. Along the way you'll uncover the grizzly remains of those who got in the dinosaurs' way, and you'll unravel the mystery of how a top-secret energy research project turned into a Jurassic nightmare.
And about those dinosaurs: they're all over the island. One instant you'll be walking along a second-story balcony, admiring the view, the next instant you'll be dodging a T.rex as it smashes its huge maw through the concrete walls. Velociraptors chase you down blood-spattered corridors, flying reptiles circle the outdoor areas, and your only weapons are your pistol, whatever else you can salvage, a dwindling supply of ammunition, and your wits.
Packed with clever puzzles and heart-pounding surprises, all superbly presented with realistic graphics and horror-movie camera angles, Dino Crisis is a triumph of survival-horror gaming. --Mike Fehlauer
Pros:
- Great sound effects and music
- Well-integrated, varied, and clever puzzles
- Awe-inspiring, terrifying dinosaurs
- Branching story line improves replay value
Cons:
- Doors impervious to explosives
Spider-Man

As the beloved photojournalist-cum-webslinger, you'll freely explore New York's skyline, sewers, and hideouts to fulfill several missions. Use Spider-Man's superhuman strength to fight such notorious foes as Scorpion, Venom, and Rhino, and his spider abilities allow you to spin webs (of any size) to disable and detain bosses, swing around buildings, and creep along walls and ceilings. And thanks to your spider-sense, you'll be able to detect impending danger from a distance. There is no wealth or fame at the end of this game, however. Action is your reward.
Toy Commander

"Sega of America, Inc."
Most of us remember waging monumental battles and planning out complicated rescues with toy planes, boats, and such in our youth. Now you can do the same, virtually, in Sega's Toy Commander. The premise is straight from a six-year-old's dream: some of your toys have gone bad and are rampaging through eight rooms in your intricately detailed home. It's up to you to take command of the loyal toys and lead them through 50 individual missions to put a stop to the plastic menace.
The progressively more difficult missions, consisting of action sorties like rescuing toy steamboats from malicious submarines, or strategic ones like transporting eggs into a pot of boiling water, are anything but a tea party. All missions fit comfortably within the game's storyline and can be seriously challenging. The sense of scale, as you commandeer the game's 35 vehicles, is true to the look of an ordinary room to a tiny toy. Fun and offering a surprising amount of depth, Toy Commander is a nostalgic, innovative, and entertaining romp. --Sajed Ahmed
Pros:
- 4-player split-screen death match mode, using any of the 35 vehicles in one of the eight rooms
- All the vehicles look and handle very differently, adding to the gameplay
- Impressive detail and interactivity in the game's environments
- Varied missions include warlike action, racing, and strategy elements
Cons:
- Tedious mission goals could prove frustrating
Dynamite Cop

"Sega of America, Inc."
Fresh from the arcades, Dynamite Cop is a no-holds-barred, fast-action fighting game that will keep you entertained from the moment you power up your Dreamcast. The game begins with the kidnapping of the president's daughter on a cruise ship. Your goal is to rescue her from a gang of strange-looking thugs by kicking, punching, and shooting your way through multiple environments of the cruise ship.
While single-player action is adequate, this game truly shines during the dual-player mode. With enemies attacking from every possible angle, the onscreen action can be overwhelming at times. Almost anything onscreen can be used as a weapon--and we do mean anything. For example, in one scene the fighting takes place in a public restroom. Let's just say that the urinals on the wall make wonderful weapons. Other innovative weapons include a vacuum cleaner, a couch, and--egad!--even a fish!
Dynamite Cop is instinctive and easy to use. Advanced gamers will likely breeze through the three distinct missions in this game, while casual gamers will appreciate the simplicity. --Brett Atwood
Pros:
- Fast, furious action
- Innovative weapons
Cons:
- May be too violent for young children
- 2-D graphics are a bit dated
Gauntlet Legends

SPIG
Omikron: The Nomad Soul

Eidos Interactive
Fur Fighters

Acclaim Entertainment Inc.
Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation

Eidos Interactive
Lara Croft makes her Dreamcast debut in Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation, a must-have title for fans of the busty heroine's PlayStation exploits. Featuring high-resolution graphics that rival those of the PC version, this visual masterpiece sports a "fleshed-out" Lara in addition to lighting and water effects that make its 3-D environments seem all the more realistic.
Beneath the surface, Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation is pretty much the same old Tomb Raider action-adventure formula, with gameplay consisting of exploration, combat, and puzzle solving. (Which is not necessarily a bad thing, as most Tomb Raider fans just can't seem to get enough.) However, gamers do get to play as "young" Lara Croft for the first time, and the gallery mode rewards players with pictures of Lara as they progress through the game.
Unfortunately, advancing in Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation can be quite frustrating at times, as the controls--which utilize all the functions of the Dreamcast controller--are not only awkward, but also lack the responsiveness that some of the game's challenges require. --Joe Hon
Pros:
- Enhanced graphics rival those of the PC version
- Ability to play as young Lara Croft
- Gallery feature a definite plus for fans
Cons:
- Poor controls
The Grinch DC

Konami

In this third-person action-adventure game--which is based, in part, on the live-action film Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!--you play the role of the Mean One himself. Embark on a quest through 24 missions, from Whoville to an underwater world, and across four Seussian environments with three minigames and a bonus level. Players collect and assemble a variety of gadgets, such as the rotten-egg launcher, the slime shooter, bad breath, and the GrinchCopter. Players can transform into the Grinch's sidekick, Max the Dog, to explore areas that are inaccessible to the Mean One.
Project Justice

SPIG
Dragon Riders: Chronicles Of Pern
Chicken Run

Eidos Interactive

In keeping with the film's story, the game takes place on a 1950s Yorkshire chicken farm and follows a group of loveable chickens as they try to break out of confinement. Players must help Ginger and her flock make a break for freedom while avoiding the evil Mrs. Tweedy and her oafish husband, who want to turn them into chicken pies.
When an American rooster named Rocky lands in the farm, Ginger sees her chance: these chickens won't cross the road--they'll fly the coop. Together, they prove that chickens are anything but chicken, as they engage in a daring and spectacular escape.
Set in a 3-D world that reflects the film's style, design, and atmosphere, the gameplay emphasizes stealthy exploration. You must sneak your way around the farm and gather objects that are necessary to your escape plan. Throughout the game, you'll be given the opportunity to control different characters who star in the film--Ginger, Rocky, Nick, and Fetcher.
Elemental Gimmick Gear

Not Available